Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Ask The Gunwriters Best folding knife?

I posted this on the Knives and Blades forum but just in case I'll post this here to get the Gun Writers (and others) opinions.

I know I'm opening a can of worms but I lost my beloved 30 year old Gerber (Yep, got it when I was one) in the Colorado River and I need another pocket knife. I don't like the new Gerbers much so I need help since it seems like there's a couple thousand styles of knives out there now - most of them looking like something out of Star Wars. Also, Automatics (we use to call these switchblades) are legal in Arizona and there's a few interesting brands to choose from as well. I want something with stag grips that I can use for work and for most hunting chores with a maximum of 3" blade. I've owned both Buck and Case knives in the past and they use to be pretty good - it looks like they are still making the classic looking knives - which I prefer - but I don't know anything about their current quality. Maybe I should just try to find an old Gerber, Case or Buck knife in good condition? Any advice will be greatly appreciated. Thanks!

John

I've never gone the custom route, and the knives I have are a bit bigger. Point of all of this is (IMHO) German steel is wonderful-look on E-bay for Puma or Boker. I've got several Boker 2021's, 4021's and Puma Game Warden 972's-all double bladed lockbacks. Hold an edge very well when sharpened properly. Blade length on those 3.5" +-.

John,
One good AZ guy to another (I am a displaced Phoenix native)
Go here: http://geneingramknives.blademakers.com/
Buy what you like. If not PM me & I have a Buck folding hunter you can have <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />
Mark

John, go to agrussell.com and look at the Spyderco knives. Surely you can find the blade shape, length, steel, and handle material among their many quality offerings to make you happy. I have 8 or 9 and am pleased with all of them and carry one every day. RS

I carried a pocket knife since I was a kid, and then a Grber folder, or a Buck 112.
That all changed when Gerber came out with Their Multi plier.
I find that I need a pair of pliers or a screw driver much moer than a knife, and the Multi plier is perfect for my needs!
There is also a very good serrated blade and a non serrated in it, as well as all the other dodads! <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />
Catnthehat

Cat,

I have to agree with you there. I even have a micro version on my key chain that I use daily <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />
Mark

I used to carry a small Boker pocket knife, but since 911 the airport security and some other places make such a big deal about knives. I just got out of the habit of carrying them.

I like the Boker folding 3 1/2" stainless blade as a hunting knife, but was disappointed in their ceramic blade version.

I had a Buck that I carried for many years, but now have switched to Benchmade Knives. The quality, fit and finish is second to none. Many good sporting outlets carry them, and they do make switchblades. If you compare them to other knives, the extra quality is obvious. My personal favorite for carry is #705. I have several of their knives.

One caveat, they have started importing a line from Taiwan. These are not nearly as good as the US made knives. They ARE cheaper.

I have an intense dislike for the "tactical" knives that seem to get more popular every year, so I'm against the grain. But I've never found a better knife than my old Case lockblade. For hunting I will typically use it and throw in several cheap Opinel folding knives. They are very primitive with a locking collar but also VERY cheap and will hold a razor edge easily. If one of them gets lost or covered in moose nastiness, no big deal. Yes, they are made in France. But by the *good* French down in the alps <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

Cosmoline,

I know what you mean - I can't seem to warm up to the few Star Wars knives I've handled. They might be better if the makers would add some wood or stag/bone to the handles. Even then, I'm patrtial to the old CASE, Buck, Schrade, Gerber, etc. knives. But I'll try to keep an open mind on my quest.

John

Try a Kershaw knife. Great blades that hold an edge.

Take a look at David Boye's folders that are made from Dendritic steel. The edge holding is superior to any other steel, including CPM 440V. I've made a number of knives using his steel, and can attest that it is the best for edge holding. I used an 8" chef's knive I made from his steel to cut 50 pounds of rutabagas, and it cut every one with a straight cut and did the whole 50 pounds without having to be resharpened. His folders are very nicely made. He is Dolan Springs, AZ.
DMB

I just have to note in passing that knives with metal handles are NOT popular in cold climates like I've lived in for a good reason! Your hands get cold much sooner compared to wood or a synthetic like Kraton.

That said, I have an older Puma folder that holds an edge a very long time -- much better than any of the Buck, Gerber, Kershaw, or Cold Steel knives I've owned. Not surprisingly, the steel is very hard and is difficult to sharpen without a diamond hone and one of the angle holder devices.

The best steels I've used so far are ATS-10 and VG-10 (see this test of the latter's ability to retain an edge compared to other knife steels. I don't know of any folders using this steel. See here for a real quantitative test of many knife steels).

However, I would use a folder with ANY steel rather than use the BEST steel in a knive with a metal handle -- but I live in a very northern area! <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

jpb

I have a Spyderco Bill Moran Featherweight (see attached picture) which uses this VG-10 steel, and its edge-holding is truly excellent. I have not yet had to sharpen it, but I'm sure my diamond hone and angle-holder will save me yet again. I just wish I could find a folder that held an edge as well as this one...

JohnL,

I'm not a "gun writer" but I'll chime in. I bought a Buck "Aplha Hunter" folding knife last year. I really like this knife. I've had a number of knives over the years, and thought they were good knives, but compared to this one, they were all so much wasted money.

I got the black rubberized handle with the standard blade. http://www.buckknives.com/catalog/detail/214/223

Cabela's has them for about $50 to $60.00. This one has held an edge very well.

Unless one wants to spend more, for me, this is the best $50.00 I've spent in a long time.

Mark

jpb,

Have you tried the Fallkniven P-1? The Spyderco Peter Herbst also has a non-threatening appearance and has good steel.

Jaywalker

I wish you hadn't told me that -- could be damaging to my bank account!

I was not aware of any VG-10 steel folder. I wish I had known that before I bought my fixed blade... Oh, well another knife to consider! <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

jpb

jpb,

Here's a folder with a 3 1/8 inch (~79mm) VG10 blade and FRN handle, the Spyderco "Centofante III".






If you like VG10 steel, you probably would also like S30V (stainless steel) and D2 (semi-stainless). Both generally offer excellent edge holding characteristics. Here are a couple folders that might be of interest to hunters.




Blade-Tech "Wegner Professional Hunter" (S30V steel)
( www.blade-tech.com )






Queen Cutlery "Mountain Man Lockback" (D2 steel)
( www.cumberlandknifeworks.com )

OK, walker and jaywalker! Stop posting all this temptation! <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

I particularly like the shape of the Wegner blade and handle.... Damn tempting!

jpb

I've got the earlier version of the Spyderco Centofante with the compression lock and it has been one heck of a good knife. I plan on getting one of the newer models though, because I like the blade lock mechanism better. My Spyderco's have never let me down. The only time I'm not carrying one of them is when I fly, and I feel naked without it.

I like all kinda knives as long as they can hold an edge long enough to gut and skin a moose.

My fave is the Buck folding knife, yup the ole original with shiny brass and wood, nothing too fancy but sure is a pretty knife.